Russian state firm to map over half of Mali and build mining data system

Russian state-owned geological group Rosgeologiya (RusGeology) has signed agreements with Mali's Ministry of Mines to produce a digital geological map and a mining information system. Its unit for overseas projects, Zarubezhgeologia, signed on 28 October 2026 on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa forum in Moscow.

The medium-scale map will cover two areas that together make up more than half of Mali's territory and will flag zones considered prospective for mineral exploration. A separate information system will let Mali manage geological data, mineral licensing and regulatory oversight of mining. Allafrica reporting puts the map scale at 1:200,000 over 24 months, with the system due in eight months and training for national geology staff.

Zarubezhgeologia head Alexey Desyatkin said the work would make mineral information more accessible and transparent, including for investors. Mali, a major gold producer, is seeking to develop other resources such as lithium. Mali's Ministry of Mines had not commented.

Why it matters: National geological maps and licensing databases underpin exploration and mining governance. The agreement raises practical questions for African geoscience agencies about who holds title to the data and who controls the systems built to manage it.